Lunch today with Robert Hardman, a leading authority on the United Kingdom’s Constitutional Monarchy, an institution which continues to combine pomp with quiet efficiency; and which remains the keystone of Britain’s Parliamentary democracy.

Very few journalists are as close to the Windsors. In recent years, Robert has interviewed members of the Royal Family for a series of internationally-acclaimed films and for his book, Monarchy: The Royal Family At Work (2007). Robert interviewed The Prince of Wales for the BBC1’s 90-minute special film, Charles at 60: The Passionate Prince (2008), which he also narrated. He also wrote the ITV series The Duke: A Portrait of Prince Philip (2008). This followed the BBCseries, Monarchy: The Royal Family At Work (2007) for which Robert wrote both the book and the script.

Robert’s latest book, Our Queen (2011), has been a best-seller in the UK and launches in the US in April. He anticipates a busy summer (Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee tour of the United Kingdom begins in Leicester on Thursday), and worldwide media interest in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.